Wind direction indicator



1, 193%. v A. DE HERTELENDY WIND DIRECTION INDICATOR Filed Fb. 25, 19s5 INVENTOR BY my MW ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application February 25, 1935, Serial In Germany April 30, 1934 4 Claims. 01. 73-55) The object of the invention is to provide a device for the use of aeronauts to make it possible for them to easily but effectively indicate the direction in which the ground currents of wind are moving, so that an up-wind landing may be readily made; to provide an indicator of the kind indicated which is unconnected with the ship in connection with which it is employed, so that it may be thrown out by the aviator but retrieved by him after landing; and generally to provide a device for the purpose mentioned which is of simple form, susceptible of cheap manufacture and of a character that will permit its being folded up into small compass when not in use.

' With this object in view, the invention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the invention as it will appear on the ground after being cast from a flying ship.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the intermediate position of the parts prior to being folded or reeled.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the invention in reeled-up position.

The invention comprises a comparatively wide band I 0, preferably of fabric, with distinctively colored areas Illa and lllb. Terminally, the band is provided with the stretcher sticks II which are two in number if the band is to be folded once in the coiling or reeling operation, or three in number, or four, if the band is to be of that width which will permit three or four folds. The sticks, when the band is extended, are in axial alignment, so that in the longitudinal folding of the band, the sticks may lie laterally one against the other. The sticks II are connected by guy cords l2 with a terminal stick M, the guy cords being arranged in pairs connected one each to each of the sticks H, the remaining terminals of the guy cords being connected in pairs with the extremities of the sticks l4. To one of the sticks N there is connected the shroud cords H) of a parachute I6 which is in turn connected to a pilot parachute H.

A reel having squared ends to retard rolling has an anchor cord l9 connected with it, which anchor cord is in turn connected with the stick H! at the remote end of the band to which the parachute I6 is connected.

When not in use, the band is folded on a longitudinal center line, as indicated in Figure 3, when it is reduced to a width that will make it possible to reel it on the reel or spool N3, the parachute I 6 being similarly folded into small compass for winding on the reel but the pilot parachute being left free.

In the use of the invention, the aviator or aeronaut, prior to landing, will cast the device overboard, when the parachute "5 will be quickly opened by the opening of the parachute IT. This will be followed with the unreeling of the band by reason of the falling reel, the latter acting as a weight to carry the whole device as quickly towards the ground as the parachutes will permit. On'reaching the ground, the reel will act more or less as an anchor and the parachutes will be carried in the direction in which the wind is blowing until the air is dissipated from under them, when the band will be laid on the ground, as shown in Figure 2, the pilot and main parachute collapsing to give the general contour of an arrowhead of which the staff or shank will be represented by the band. Observing the relative positions of the band and parachutes, the aviator can then readily determine the direction of the wind and make his landing accordingly. Then retrieving 20 the device, it may be folded as above explained and reeled back onto the reel or spool.

The invention having been described, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a band, a parachute connected with one end of the band, and a weight connected with the other end of the band.

2. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a band, a parachute connected with one end of the band, and a reel or spool connected with the other end of the band and on which the latter and the parachute may be reeled.

3. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a band, a parachute connected with one end of theband, and a reel or spool connected with the other end of the band and on which the latter and the parachute may be reeled, the band consisting of a fabric strip provided with terminal axially-aligned spreader sticks, so that the band may be folded on a longitudinal-line passing midway between the adjacent ends of the spreader sticks.

4. A device for the purpose indicated comprising a band, a parachute connected with one end of the band, and a reel or spool connected with the other end of the band and on which the latter and the parachute may be reeled, the band consisting of a fabric strip provided with terminal axially-aligned spreader sticks, so that the band may be folded on a longitudinal line passing midway between the adjacent ends of the spreader sticks, and a terminal stick at each end with which the spreader sticks at that end are con nected by guy cords, the parachute being secured to one terminal stick and the reel having an anchor cord connecting it with the other terminal stick.

ANDOR DE HERTELENDY. 

